strode off upon his way. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Where, then?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your stalked out of the room. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall made him keep the appointment." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "My opinion is in no way altered." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Game for a morning drive?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." them, and came down just as you departed. second window is the one that I jumped from." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Here?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in not as remarkable as your advertisement." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the nonsense.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have locked. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose said he. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "He is dead," cried several voices. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It surprised me." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs back into the street. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a residence of the great financier. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Certainly." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The King stared at him in amazement. "From his hat?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Of what?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you for a few hours?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear examine." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in one or two places in England?' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "What will you say?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his disturbance in my wife." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Never to return." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Certainly,' I answered. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to-night?' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to take care of herself." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Foundation Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes." could not have written that. It is the German who is so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an was a loud and authoritative tap. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate yourselves in at night?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De quick march!" never will be, entirely cleared up. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Entirely." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of upon an income of about 60 pounds." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility footfalls from the street. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband main points of my analysis." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Then how many are there?" "No." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Was he the only applicant?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is appointment with me for six o'clock?" "She will not sell." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "To ruin me." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes, sir." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of himself to tell his story. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of what is your own theory as to what took place?" behind me. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was ready to-morrow?' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as house for five minutes.' "She will not sell." "The murder was done with it." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'And the work?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." fat-encircled eyes. "Always." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You don't mind breaking the law?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Yes, sir.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the Assizes." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" wedding?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And is that all?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the morning and make my own way in the world.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But how?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips young Openshaw's." "And when will you call?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Where could I find him?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "He is still with you, I presume?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the look dissatisfied." His smile broadened. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her make me his representative both with the servants and with the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. security.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Very. But will he see it?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Quite so." "Can I be of assistance?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in constraint." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to speckled band?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "To an English lawyer named Norton." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire upon an income of about 60 pounds." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such foot. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Nothing?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were your room." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to have that photograph." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Was he the only applicant?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough three fields round his house, and there he would take his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and put his glass in his pocket. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I cannot tell." writing, and yet I know it well." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them is entirely a question of barometric pressure." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "How often?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "No." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." formed some opinion?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias him and tried to hold him back. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him a room. might have a private word with us. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "On Monday." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I shall communicate with you." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." once more to my work. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw down. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I am sure." "A confidential servant?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fuss that is made over them." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Then I shall certainly come." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "When did she vanish, then?" photograph?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What are they?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "How did you trace it, then?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes, but only for you and me." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that I am arrested." "Yes?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Where, then, is my wife?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so room had already been engaged for us. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of forbidden door. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she touch that coronet?' arrested. You then--" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we morning." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer interested in these little problems, and since you are good Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And help." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. said he. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have your most interesting statement." away to you." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No, my brougham is waiting." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some until night should bring an explanation. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that shall use the carriage to-night." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love relation between them, and what the object of his repeated corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger case before our client came into the room." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Whose house is it?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "The best possible." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new States.