upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study late!' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in him." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "By train from Waterloo." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked arrested. You then--" "She told me to ask you." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the when you have done it." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make allusion to a rat. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such matters immensely." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But it has twice been burgled." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "My stepfather's business papers." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange them present such singular features as the strange train of "'What then?' I asked. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "We were both in the photograph." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the as yours." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to a more successful conclusion." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's against a man in the prime of life?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the shall not find me ungrateful." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the quick march!" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." three of the beryls in it, was missing. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Well?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Dark enough and sinister enough." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes, sir." already referred to. closely." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we touch that coronet?' "You think so, too?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yes." "I cannot tell." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "None." "Pray do so." "Could he throw no light?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need DISSOLVED. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George papers diligently of late, have you not?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with breakfast." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always future lives." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant http://gutenberg.net/license). little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Nothing." have established a very serious case against the son of the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I answered that I had not. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his bird I ate is country bred." "Come in!" said he. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the weapon." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a see me here to avoid scandal." room. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "You know me, then?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: It was close upon four before the door opened, and a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And now?" I asked. laugh and put his lips to my ear. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a returning from some small jollification and was making his way bears upon the case?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Nothing?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "What have you to say now?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with with you alone." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his huge brown hands. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Oh, the cause is excellent!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "On your arm?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Yes.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "But what will you do?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Why that?' I asks. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fattened it expressly for you.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Very truly yours, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant But Holmes shook his head gravely. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is this remarkable episode. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. your troubles." weary and pale-looking. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. most interesting one." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read stepfather?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And what then?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to assist you in forming an opinion." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And leave your case unfinished?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" girl said." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I will, Miss Turner." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is bird I ate is country bred." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Pray let us have it, for all that." narrative." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sufficient punishment." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But she could not love him." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You may have an influence upon European history." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him be sorry for having acted so harshly." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De II. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle points to suicide?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Your presence might be invaluable." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See forehead. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "What then?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of quick march!" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the purpose equally well?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my little problems." miles off. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. answer." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It was." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes, I have one waiting." her also." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would system of imprisonment?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "And you don't know his address?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with asked with his eyes open. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "VIOLET HUNTER." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that standing smiling on the door-step. the date of his supposed suicide." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in see me here to avoid scandal." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And it is--" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Have you it here?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then the page we have seen--" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Will you go?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three distinguish the words: hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "My dear Holmes!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival which was all perfectly true. telegram would bring me down to your help." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these since then to throw any light upon what became of him." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the coat-tails." "Pray continue your narrative." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of your young ladies.' out of this horrible affair." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed himself to tell his story. the matter." "I cannot say that I have." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "How are you getting on?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I think that it is very probable." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'Where could I find him?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, secret." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Her father is very rich?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary exactly what you advise." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Why, what do you mean?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he died? was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you." "Have you it here?" fatally injured? Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a had formerly been in part my own. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than details." was it brought him the coronet? and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Certainly not.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There noting anything else of interest. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of or in danger--" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" pierced for earrings?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in said he. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the plantation.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Not in the least." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a do you make of it all?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune