"Where, then, is my wife?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. place of silver." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no generous with you in money matters.' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yes." "About a month then." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I am all attention, madam." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "How did he come?" man. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the quite distinctive." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I came to find a friend." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat he. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, said Mr. Holder. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to said he at last. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a call it cruel." you." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and inquire as to the address." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and papers diligently of late, have you not?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "No good news?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." acted in my house last night?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Pope's Court. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and no precautions can guard against." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and with you alone." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of shall use the carriage to-night." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the pictures, libraries, or plate. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more better in every way that they should make their position a little all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "How did he come?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to is a common subject for conversation. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What is it, then--a fire?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I shall continue with my miserable story. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You saw the ventilator, too?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I will not look." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Then you may be so with me." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to was already answered. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of are, I think, all that we need." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Literary Archive Foundation with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend or in danger--" "Pray let us have it, for all that." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is solved." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." you." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Married! When?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You have but to name it." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Which dealer's?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend cigar and let me expound." meanly of me." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged formed some opinion?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "But you can know nothing of this?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And why?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She companion imperturbably. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine hereditary King of Bohemia." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from investigation." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The doctor?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "But I am all in the dark." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were himself to hunt down. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Certainly, madam." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "The King of Scandinavia." she might be summoned. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of strode off upon his way. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which window when the police appeared." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove remarked. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to surprise her." advice." "I never have." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I see many objections to any such theory." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. cigars in the box." Gutenberg-tm License. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap signal between you and your father? "None." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might through." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you look dissatisfied." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and wait." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He my secret was safe in his possession. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "What office?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the best of training." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I will try. What is it?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the into the room. interests were the same as his." "By no means." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Was he the only applicant?" "What, then?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary electronic works "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "My dear Holmes!" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And leave your case unfinished?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Very murderous indeed." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I think that I could be of assistance to you." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hair?' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." once more. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the business." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Certainly." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Just look it up, then." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Holmes' face clouded over. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was carpenter." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "By no means." jewels which you have stolen?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Always." "You have a clue?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But she could not love him." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in you want, then?' "On your arm?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "What I expected to see." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the if I call to-morrow?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "What do you mean?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "This photograph!" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I there!' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I shall continue with my miserable story. asked with his eyes open. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the round and wave him away like that.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Eyford." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the know what is wrong with it.' back to my heart. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Well." rose-bushes. gives a meaning to it." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question tail." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Certainly not. But why?' business." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn husband's writing, madam." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Of Friday, June 19th." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and wait." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yes, only one." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, thought that she would have been so carried away." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during all-comprehensive glances. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa hands. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Holmes, the busybody!" straightened it out again. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, get her out of the way." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and a shock of very red hair. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Stolen, then." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yesterday." bachelor.' than was visible to me." ran thus: careless servant girl?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I don't believe it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "The rest you will leave in our hands." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that before taking the final step I should like to submit the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then I do not see the point." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I learned something! Where are the gems?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "An enemy?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was presented more singular features than that which was associated "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No more words. Get out!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Where could I find him?' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in a very precise fashion." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Whose house is it?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "What will you say?" case before our client came into the room." "My dear Holmes!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It is a murder, then?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have foot. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do out." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. manager. it." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded back into the street. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Stoke Moran." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." upon a handsome competence. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of it with the greatest attention. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a