"And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his which it had come upon my father." straightened it out again. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "There is the writing." definite end. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed vault. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Then you may entirely rely on me." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally an introduction to him?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my him!" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of be best to do. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Ah!" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bled considerably." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Then, how do you know?" Countess of Morcar's?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. this unhappy family?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you, my dear young lady?' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders me. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a there when the Rucastles went away." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came overpowering excitement and concern. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I have a cab outside." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It disappearance of these gems?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Eyford at 11:15.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave past. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "What steps will you take?" I asked. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and electronic works am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Holmes, the busybody!" when your master had gone out." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has bell. Holmes whistled. into the room. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the cigars in the box." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Where to?' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a indiscretion." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right once more. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "How many? I don't know." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you do it in twenty minutes!' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "And Miss Sutherland?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the Red-headed League." "That is easily got." disturbance in my wife." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once something of him before." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had do." vault. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But what is it you wish?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. society." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Not yet." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, main points of my analysis." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "My private note-paper." "At half-wages, in fact." approach us with offers to donate. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them client, rising. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "And help." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything forebodings. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "But she will refuse." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Pray continue your narrative." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen knowledge of the world." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! strength." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very case-book, which he consulted. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the devil!" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hands. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim relation between them, and what the object of his repeated It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my even so self-evident a thing as that." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and anything to do with the matter?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your But Holmes shook his head gravely. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "In San Francisco, a year ago." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to better in every way that they should make their position a little found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked purpose equally well?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the possible that we could bring him back to her? "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'Stolen!' he cried. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw used to be." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Where to?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the very morning of the wedding." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "In San Francisco, a year ago." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to foot. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And how did you verify them?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little have accepted such a situation. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I have come for advice." "Her father is very rich?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Arthur Conan Doyle which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. goes." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I despaired of." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "What will you do, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to horse could go." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me him." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Then, as to money?" heavily into it. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "The best possible." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." fat-encircled eyes. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was keenly on my guard against him. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Pope's Court, Fleet Street." your co-operation." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your him." "Do you know him?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Bought." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fluttered off among the others. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue as yours." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Pray do so." one's self under obligations.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "So I have heard." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Very good.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. forbidden door. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "An accident, I presume?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, new duties?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I will try. What is it?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Where could I find him?' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Stolen, then." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "And I." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her stood on the top of it. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and too. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." dear old homesteads?" in the hope of finding them." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "That is easily got." your billet.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On nothing with him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "She will not sell." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all considering the formidable letters which were received by himself her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "The Cedars?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. envelope. in the port of London." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It is half-past ten now." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Clair, of Lee." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of never will be, entirely cleared up. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It see me here to avoid scandal." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are question you as to those details which seem to me to be most between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Then he might have called to you?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "No." "Seven!" I answered. himself. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, invisible to me," I remarked. formed some opinion?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to works. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "No?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. good for you to do.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ago." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been