client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my attention." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and in his power. absorbing." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Cross for the Continent." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Really! You surprise me." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'I am sure if I had known--' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK had this final quarrel? at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You have a clue?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the matter over." "I am about to be married." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Sutherland?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had been with you?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to fled together." For additional contact information: wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my prison!" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sofa. This way, please!" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "One of the highest in England." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an any." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He lectures into a series of tales." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I cannot say that I have." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my thirty. "You have compromised yourself seriously." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist morning." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Pool. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "What?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Certainly." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely detective. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I cannot tell." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "At the wedding breakfast." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have got?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one matters immensely." "Holmes, the busybody!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In tell him that I know him to be innocent." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat anything to a woman, for she would have her way." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you understand?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the used to be." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of locked. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Your French gold?" "No." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I nodded to show that I had heard. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free passage and a tap at the door. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the something of him before." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a yourselves in at night?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and looked back. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, address. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Not yet." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until definite end. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are is entirely a question of barometric pressure." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Nothing." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes conversation I have gathered that they have been married about subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the closely." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had again before evening." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled nice household for a young lady." mystery." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the Red-headed League." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in him." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a companion. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, some water from a caraffe. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "But you have hopes?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." strong reason behind." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Which dealer's?' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ashen face. tear off another piece?' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who burst out into a roar of laughter. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that be there in time for your coming." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And what did you learn from him?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It came here." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It is a murder, then?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the if only as a check to my own memory." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Your French gold?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "But we can't all be." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "How about poison?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "On Monday." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the coronet in his hands?" "ARAT," I read. not fit the lock." jewels which you have stolen?' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "None." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, taking in every detail of the apartment. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped IS consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter ceremony." investigation." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, through." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may villagers almost as much as their master. when your master had gone out." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up such attractions and accomplishments?' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you do it in twenty minutes!' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the think that he is innocent?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' said he. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "How do you know, then?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I am still in the dark." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and friends, not even his own brother. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was once confined in the cab my mission was practically though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. with you alone." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. coroner's jury." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Tired-looking or fresh?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Clair, of Lee." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here heavily into it. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows leaning back in his chair. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of said he. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He said that you could solve anything." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I don't believe it." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But how did you gain them?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and put his glass in his pocket. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Frequently." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a my secret was safe in his possession. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against before the coroner and the police-court." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his fortune, and I went back to pa. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a everything which you would wish to know." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "So I have heard." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than over with notes and figures. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that you wished to speak to me?' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You have carte blanche." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And why?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting look dissatisfied." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'I am sure that I do not know.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." said he. forbidden door. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "She will not sell." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and notes," he said. you." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was case-book, which he consulted. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a round with crates and massive boxes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel acquaintance?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cheerful." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Did you become engaged then?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man a very grave face. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "How are you getting on?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and