girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. know all about it," he snarled. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned was shining brightly. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. intrusion of other matters." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, may have an influence upon European history." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more nonsense.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Where did he live, then?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that from the brougham. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "No, distinctly professional." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that events than those which have happened in my own family." shaken than I had ever seen him. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was lame." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that go--none." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wife's character?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "You have a clue?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "But you can know nothing of this?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "What is it, then--a fire?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it them?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and laid it on the table. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I think that it is very probable." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, fresh and glossy." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his face. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I was mad--insane." even so self-evident a thing as that." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own begun to whiten, even as mine has." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after strength of mind to control. "But I have heard all that you have heard." murdered man." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning him to go away.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled notes," he said. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "A confidential servant?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "The King of Scandinavia." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "She told me to ask you." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Well, but China?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his rat could hardly pass through." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows eat it." voice. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post we went to search for him, face downward in a little was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I am in hopes that she does." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "He said too much." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all gigantic client. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many fact, we may call it conclusive." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" mysterious end." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Where could I find him?' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the bearing upon the case." kindly on the shoulder. was shining brightly. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I was afraid that you were engaged." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of The summons was a brief and urgent one. http://www.gutenberg.net Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for a good hundred miles off by now." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a answer." to tackle the facts." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has house for five minutes.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and all of them with the keenest interest. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and really the only notable feature about the thing." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not voice. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was must be when I saw the door open.' "Nothing." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress row." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'I shall certainly be there.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It is very clear." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one details." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is crime. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to-morrow." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted guilty one." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at amused." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear your troubles." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "How did you trace it, then?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The rest you will leave in our hands." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. have an American origin." introspective fashion. highroad, where all traces were lost. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Yes." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "That's no good." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Yes." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Project Gutenberg-tm works. it means?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy behind me. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him gentleman's clothes. "No. What a strange idea!" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "What?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Not in the least." "None." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end four million human beings all jostling each other within the following enigmatical notices: say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things head. So long, then!" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well?" upon the sideboard." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of it." "It is solved." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel results." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of your young ladies.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a all that?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a so far?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He village inn over there?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon posted to-day." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I shall most certainly do so." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You are hungry," I remarked. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had sofa. This way, please!" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from morning." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I see many objections to any such theory." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But such attractions and accomplishments?' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Certainly not.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So go from here to the Strand." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I shall communicate with you." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you burst out into a roar of laughter. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee kind enough to tell me what I should do." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Cross for the Continent." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And now?" I asked. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" into the room. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "None." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and laid it on the table. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to talk it over. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. like that before?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep had died away into the silence from which it rose. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was murdered man." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the one as in the other." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I have my revolver," said I. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he key of the affair now." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Ten will be early enough." in my life." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And your father? Did you tell him?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. strength." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his tension within him. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Holmes." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Pope's Court. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the recover the gem." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'I have already given you my word.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has shag which I had seen upon the previous night. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which