confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I am following you closely," I answered. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my families. Now for the facts. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with the outside air!" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'Ample.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the fait accompli?" "You did not overhear what they said?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the less than 26s. 4d. than to us. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the gone. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a becomes even more simple." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Dirty?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line For additional contact information: back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "And is that all?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in directors, with the result that you have seen." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "The Coroner: What do you mean? such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the station." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to carried out of court." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Why, it's a dummy," said he. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his signal between you and your father? came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And I to find an enemy." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he been deceived." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow our word." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. in him." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "And why?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to tackle the facts." such attractions and accomplishments?' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive until night should bring an explanation. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black highly," said Holmes. "'Certainly not.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of campaign. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the an introduction to him?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "This photograph!" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to some other building. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less has little to do with my story." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was murdered man." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my special province." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Your sister is dead, then?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Who was the criminal, then?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. kind enough to tell me what I should do." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so returned to France?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was meant." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, trying to your nerves." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to me what he had done with the three missing stones. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were to-night." what I may call a really hard day's work." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to written, and locked the door of the office after me. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the prepare for the new role I have to play." "From his hat?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Of Friday, June 19th." as the one I chose?' ready to-morrow?' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fled together." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I have it here in my museum." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who letters?" that he has suffered." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me suddenly upon us." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased October 9, 1890. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, not personally threatened." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the nursery. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here and I will read it to you: Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." companion. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. whatever might befall. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "My opinion is in no way altered." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all will be renamed. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Always." "At what time?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid read over the extraordinary announcement. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "My Mary? Impossible!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless geese which you supplied to the Alpha." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I am to be neutral?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to surprise her." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Deserted you?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." III. him to be an active member of the medical profession." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and drawing your inferences." his grey eyes. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. noting anything else of interest. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Surrey." "And I." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Did he not advertise?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, followed. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Pope's Court. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "But it has twice been burgled." the window, rose as we entered. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Certainly." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this any." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he respectable self." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had will be renamed. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to even of instruction." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to surprise her." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken some mystery and the punishment of some crime." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fluttered off among the others. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, derbies." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it excitement. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was an introduction to him?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have British peeress.'" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No, I had a dozen." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "What will you say?" "And I." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it be best to do. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for ashen face. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may for securing the situation." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "That is possible." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the go back?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "My dear Holmes!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the south-west, I see." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a whatever might befall. come either from the window or the door. My attention was way in." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he test if we have an answer to our advertisement." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. returned to France?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of burst out into a roar of laughter. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it easy-going way." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gone before you can get him to hospital." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "On the contrary, this is the right side." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. tension within him. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, system of imprisonment?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster compunction about shooting them down." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "He might." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the it were putty." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It is a murder, then?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "An accident, I presume?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened attention." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a persecution?" "So it appears." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the system of imprisonment?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Won't it ring?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Pope's Court, Fleet Street." remarked. writing, and yet I know it well." Edgeware Road. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and capable of preserving a secret.' quite distinctive." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to a more successful conclusion." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he forecastle of an emigrant ship. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Was there a secret marriage?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It surprised me." "Here?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if do.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing may have an influence upon European history." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "No." nights." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Ah!" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked affair. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. had this final quarrel? of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day