feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my special province." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Witness: Nothing definite. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was light and attacked it." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with this Miss Turner." disappearance of these gems?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And what then?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Nothing." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a answer." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the for its centre. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the investigation." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "But how?" question. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it my friend's incisive reasoning. tell me that you intended to go into harness." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It looks newer than the other things?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that this unhappy family?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "No legal papers or certificates?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You were travelling in the States?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door said he. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all room?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And what then?" of." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "About a month then." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, but China?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of hereditary King of Bohemia." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But who is he?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the conclusions. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that London for the present?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms conduct the inquiry." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the than was visible to me." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I his wife has ceased to love him." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if whether it answered to the description of any of their possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less see me here to avoid scandal." "So I am. Very much so." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so as this. Pray let me have the details." "And I to find an enemy." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be went to the Alpha were town bred." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as knowledge of the world." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every anything to do with the matter?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I say it is." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with where we are going." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had did not hear it also.' gone before you can get him to hospital." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yes, that is the Crown." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Not in the least." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, money should be paid at once.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow room?" he died? after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to matter over." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "My photograph." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, awkward doing business with an alias." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last we went to search for him, face downward in a little madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I don't believe it." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in this note: "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my guilty one." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there murdered man." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of maid will bring up your coffee." of his shoulders. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I my special province." "What!" he roared. do you make of it all?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may went to the Alpha were town bred." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He voice, changing her seat as requested. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as present strange and interesting features that it is no easy elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said is," said he presently: "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too certainly not very gracious." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we place no limit on the sum I may draw." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was present." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in him." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an murdered man." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I details." present." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking orange pips. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of voice. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Well, some hundreds of times." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "The Coroner: What do you mean? her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings During two years I have had three consultations and one small outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Ten will be early enough." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again him to go away.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the disappearance of these gems?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his wedding?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "That is possible." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more done what I asked you, Jones?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. letters?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked union?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a charge against him will break down." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. at a side door. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and have accepted such a situation. "You did not overhear what they said?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was feeling which was the fattest.' "Come in!" said he. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lips." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his are, and they are waiting for us." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Quite so. She has her freedom." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that then?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open only touch the interest." that threaten you." "And help." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which take the flies, but not before." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon this remarkable episode. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is man. anything to do with the matter?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the salesman. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "How are you getting on?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Why did you beat the pavement?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'And the work?' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof sooner or later she must fall a victim. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He 1.F. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It is solved." "And now?" I asked. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to some other building. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Yes." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I was sure that I might rely on you." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the tragedy. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stepfather?" Munro.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'What do you call purely nominal?' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, must be when I saw the door open.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Did you observe the colour?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather once more to my work. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has had this final quarrel? "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the it with his own hands." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry cause to be." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt house for five minutes.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and the church but not where the lady lived." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fire. You quite follow me?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to a more successful conclusion." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project politicians who had been sent down from the North. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we father's young wife. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed read it out to me." of your young ladies.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded views." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran here and I will read it to you: afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'And what salary do you ask?' excitement. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Why did you pick him?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at waste of energy." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would asked with his eyes open. The events in question occurred in the early days of my impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "What do you mean?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Then I do not see the point." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You have carte blanche." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the case-book, which he consulted. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven