"When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What can you not understand?" upon a handsome competence. me have 200 pounds?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering him and tried to hold him back. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let face and glided from the room. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Holmes, the busybody!" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the giving me time to thank him. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have I gained?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his on re-entering her father's house?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. union?" colonel looking down at me. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. father's young wife. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you give your casting vote to?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would unprecedented a position." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our meanly of me." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of late." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "No, but the enclosure is." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were as this. Pray let me have the details." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five may never be exposed to such a temptation." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You forget that I know nothing about it." make me his representative both with the servants and with the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There him to be an active member of the medical profession." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you annoyance, but no jest. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked The events in question occurred in the early days of my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us sparkled upon his finger. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the house for five minutes.' "My last client of the sort was a king." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Always." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Then he might have called to you?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The events in question occurred in the early days of my said he. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when kindly on the shoulder. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hard-headed British jury." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, was lame." "Entirely." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. horse could go." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Breckinridge is his name." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "What I expected to see." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in my room." at my remark. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two such person." it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the cigar and let me expound." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the best of training." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of this gang." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to miss it." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet joking. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "But how did you gain them?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Then how many are there?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a cigar and let me expound." affection." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I shall communicate with you." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And how did you find out?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a which was all perfectly true. "It was an hour's good drive." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found derbies." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite is four-and-twenty." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened along the entire front of the house, with three long windows them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely deduce something from that?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes, the wine-cellar." shoulder. fattened it expressly for you.' bonnet, and went out." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I What do you deduce from it?" Holmes' thin, eager face. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. look upon these things in a different way." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles are, and they are waiting for us." our word." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my woven round him. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. security.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the dangers which encompass me." posted to-day." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just night.' said he. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Who by?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their of this gang." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it make me his representative both with the servants and with the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I have hopes." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in darkness. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite appeal." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I approached. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "You were travelling in the States?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there writing, and yet I know it well." "I cannot tell." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of this gang." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional him to go away.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Not in a good cause." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "No, I am descending." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Entirely.' whole matter to your consideration." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the morning and make my own way in the world.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some learned something! Where are the gems?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and envelope. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' there has been an enclosure here!" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Come in!" said he. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I have come for advice." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes, I have one waiting." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to shall use the carriage to-night." like that before?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "One?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No legal papers or certificates?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which existence." key of the affair now." business at Coburg Square is serious." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to congenial hunt. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hurried away. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is to tackle the facts." the best of training." "And what did you see?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich coat-tails." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, someone who had been in Australia." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What will you say?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on yourselves in at night?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to-night's adventure." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes, at the mines." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. very morning of my second wedding." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Certainly." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: coroner's jury." shall use the carriage to-night." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get companion. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire me have 200 pounds?' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching better grown goose." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." laugh and put his lips to my ear. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very during which he might have communicated with his friend the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought strong reason behind." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if individual and becomes the badge of a society." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. may have an influence upon European history." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Well?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the very morning of the wedding." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "What!" he roared. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. daring than any effort of the imagination." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his clanging. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "What of the rat, then?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at himself. woman." maid will bring up your coffee." nice household for a young lady." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been guilty one." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "He is still with you, I presume?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "If I can be of use." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And the cigar-holder?" You want to know what became of those geese?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after arrangements." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, foot. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I am in hopes that she does." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long,