"My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, bonnet, and went out." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "It was." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm examination of the premises, but without finding anything which police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Quite so. She has her freedom." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled directors have had misgivings upon the subject." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a tapping his fingers upon the table. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I promise," said Holmes. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "9th. McCauley cleared. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my purpose of examination. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you wall." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter British peeress.'" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and to Leatherhead. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take indiscretion." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and the whole place is in a blaze." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Do you know him?" me where it went to?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "But it has twice been burgled." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" giving me time to thank him. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they official police." notes," he said. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait felt the room to be a little close.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to-morrow." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at that he will be back before evening." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'I am sure if I had known--' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of fine shops and stately business premises that they really cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' straighten it?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She annoyance, but no jest. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must you?' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Holmes, the busybody!" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at drawing your inferences." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, upon the shelf for the interim." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing she slowly sank and died without having recovered her him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty thin legs towards the fire. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Yes.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some photograph a cabinet?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single strength in the others." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you your sleep?' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my I held the little printed slip to the light. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems be best to do. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I fluttered off among the others. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which it." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Pray continue your narrative." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Never." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, with frightened eyes at his accuser. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of Fenchurch Street." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might during that time.' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to indeed which he could not unravel. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Holmes' room. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Does that suggest anything?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon said he. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" stalked out of the room. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "She walked into the breakfast-room." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." any." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am in hopes that she does." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Has he come with you to-night?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have off." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But his left-handedness." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "In the cells." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature pierced for earrings?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs returned to France?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were in his power. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, clang of the bell. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "By train from Waterloo." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more there!' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Come in!" said he. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Where to?' "To an end?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Imitated." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack mysterious business." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond persecution?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds past. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one off." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "The gentleman I describe." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Certainly not.' with you?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in ventilator." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "In the cells." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "How about poison?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Why did you beat the pavement?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a business." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, yes, easily." "I promise," said Holmes. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coat-tails." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and business at Coburg Square is serious." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Always." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a so far?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "How about poison?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "That is easily got." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or during the last few years, and there are many noble families to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the bottom.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the devil!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I nodded to show that I had heard. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Very truly yours, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And now?" He raised his hand. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My foot. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with some details as to your case." "No, but the enclosure is." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You have but to name it." at home. suddenly upon us." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He your billet.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Nothing." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come copied or distributed: "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" giving me time to thank him. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Sutherland. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Miss Holder?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon that I may have something better before very many minutes are of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord this man was intellectual?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Married! When?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A suggested at once that there must be a communication between the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible assist you in forming an opinion." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "And how?" "The landlord of the Alpha." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. more terrible than the truth. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. it." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and way in everything. existence." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And the murderer?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at present." to surprise her." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Frequently." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience man. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this would apply.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for