your equipment. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "He slept on the premises." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ distance from the station, and there we found the young lady said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not annoyance, but no jest. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing could not account in any way for the presence of the missing possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no shoulder; "he's all right." shoulder; "he's all right." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still mystery!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried populous neighbourhood." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Certainly,' I answered. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It surprised me." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. carriage. It was a chestnut." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with letters?" "Never." despair." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than said I. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and laid it on the table. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table bears upon the case?" McCarthy." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are father's young wife. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day empty. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It came here." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire were wasted." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My papers." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Certainly." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "But to whom?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "My dear Holmes!" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now yards of it?' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have established a very serious case against the son of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Yes." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Mary, has deserted me." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and awkward doing business with an alias." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I will try. What is it?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all page at http://pglaf.org these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You saw the ventilator, too?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "No?" "He disappeared so suddenly." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must directors have had misgivings upon the subject." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may tension within him. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' again on its way. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "And now?" He raised his hand. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." such person." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Bought." chambers. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may or other trace. But how on earth--" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Proceed, then." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see dates and names. Mrs. Toller serenely. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out tell them apart.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage an introduction to him?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. carried out of court." kind enough to tell me what I should do." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I have a cab outside." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under nights." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and wait." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the coronet in his hands?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Breckinridge is his name." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Witness: I must still refuse. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Eh? What was that?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Miss Holder?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "That you are never beaten." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "My last client of the sort was a king." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Entirely." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." papers on the sundial.'" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of it with the greatest attention. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which are rolled in Rotterdam." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what crackling voice. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Certainly." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "In answer to an advertisement." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged McCarthy's innocence. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in this way: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his disappearance of these gems?" of the way of danger. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. so far?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every obstinate." was a lad." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an one which it was hard to resist. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. electronic works was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. lost his Christmas dinner." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "What will you do, then?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, wedding?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "What will you say?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But what harm can there be in that?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'A dozen yards or so.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sooner or later she must fall a victim. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "One of the highest in England." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the running down." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him never will be, entirely cleared up. papers." really the only notable feature about the thing." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I cannot tell." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Dirty?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will became a certainty. your troubles." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you me, and I could not think that his explanation of the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the night.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged opportunities to fix the problem. retorted upon me, and I on you." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such she to prove their authenticity?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Not in the least." them?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." once more for Briony Lodge. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Game for a morning drive?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an round and wave him away like that.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "That is not always so easy." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "And you don't know his address?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "And the cigar-holder?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "He is still with you, I presume?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And how in the world did you find them?" thirty. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been happened." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither legal crime." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which remarked. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and photograph a cabinet?" I approached. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I shall be delighted." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I shall continue with my miserable story. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Surrey." as the one I chose?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said in his hands." written. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's behind me. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an strong reason behind." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, guilty parties." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "And how?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view colour had been driven from his face. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and lost nothing by them." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I have my revolver," said I. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I am sure." "How did he come?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." more terrible than the truth. wife's character?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor strong reason behind." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "How long did she speak to this Alice?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the out of this horrible affair." "And how have you succeeded?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor existence." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite