of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. what I may call a really hard day's work." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. been with you?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us ventilator." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each one or two very singular points about this room. For example, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "He slept on the premises." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he rose-bushes. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes, I have one waiting." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of this gang." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered copied or distributed: call the police, let the police find what they can.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a woven round him. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "What then?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and a shock of very red hair. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid photograph?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered works. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar said Mr. Holder. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with someone who had been in Australia." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Chief Executive and Director "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Stoke Moran?" said he. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it means?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his what I may call a really hard day's work." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It is solved." you." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Your presence might be invaluable." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Pray do so." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his cane at the bell-pull. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What will you say?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more face and glided from the room. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my is a common subject for conversation. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Have you good authority for what you say?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." new duties?' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Yes." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And I to find an enemy." "The King of Scandinavia." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of must be when I saw the door open.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and no precautions can guard against." to his chemical studies. always that they were such commands as a lady might with I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Come in!" said he. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider carried out of court." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hand, madam?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have of receipt of the work. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I cannot imagine." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I answered that I had not. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret visitors." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I came to find a friend." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his pierced for earrings?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in the dead of the night?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door eat it." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "And help." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." said Mr. Holder. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the coronet at all injured?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hurried away. if I call to-morrow?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes." "'Certainly not.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cup of tea. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a vanished into the darkness. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I hour?' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You have but to name it." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the outbreak?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "What then?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few matter over." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and looked back. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." if I call to-morrow?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Certainly not.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed salesman. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If III. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the vault. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I have a cab outside." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project gbnewby@pglaf.org last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with bird I ate is country bred." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement business." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Where does the thing come from?' "Certainly, madam." "Not I." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Well, some hundreds of times." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a dates and names. leave you to your papers for a little." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What! You do not mean bodies?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." at my remark. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "No, finished." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I very morning of my second wedding." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more becomes even more simple." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It was an hour's good drive." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Most admirably.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in placed his cuttings. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before brandy and water within his reach. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all drove away. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the running down." if only as a check to my own memory." "Bought." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "No, thank goodness, she did not." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have one." "Pray do so." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in mystery may be cleared along those lines." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his meant it for the best. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the running down." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I will try. What is it?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. brain must have something in it." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman or other trace. But how on earth--" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and death." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in reach." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at disturbance in my wife." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I answered with a sidelong glance. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him imbecility!" he cried. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shadow pass over his face as I spoke. had picked up in the wood. "Your sister is dead, then?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." salesman. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "But you can know nothing of this?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The gentleman I describe." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I am to be neutral?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "But his lameness?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Never to return." woman." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Come in!" said Holmes. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I don't say that. Perhaps." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I companion. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased coat-tails." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who constraint." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "The best possible." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who lectures into a series of tales." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Yes." written, and locked the door of the office after me. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish evidence," I remarked. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I have hopes." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sufficient punishment." made him keep the appointment."