at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Nothing?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. lectures into a series of tales." "To the police?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew think you a quite exceptional woman." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have chambers. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, But Holmes shook his head gravely. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fattened it expressly for you.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the ceiling. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; nights." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "No." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather manager. his cane at the bell-pull. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's if she died from some sudden fright." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. unprofitable." hard-headed British jury." ashen face. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Oh, fresh and glossy." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Not yet." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, helping a boy to put up the shutters. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast soul! here is her carriage at the door." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he miles off. all?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Pope's Court. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I dramatic, in fact." least a fellow-countryman. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Ah, but I was recommended to you." present." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. three fields round his house, and there he would take his figure." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Eyford." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing carriage. It was a chestnut." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in notes," he said. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It must be recovered." "No." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Then I shall certainly come." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some even of instruction." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "One of the highest in England." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ready to-morrow?' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Yes, all." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do one's self under obligations.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the kindly on the shoulder. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Eyford at 11:15.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently again." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, important." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that you can jump it.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found future lives." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in will he say when he returns?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little him and tried to hold him back. Sholtos." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his call the police, let the police find what they can.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We are, and they are waiting for us." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now absorbing." coat-tails." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. enter into my head. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position McCarthy." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I will, Miss Turner." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Do you know him?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his money should be paid at once.' quite distinctive." Watson," he said cordially. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed once more. rat could hardly pass through." other, as fresh and trim as possible. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I cannot think." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning side. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And why?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not awaited us upon the table. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told villagers almost as much as their master. brandy and water within his reach. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual have established a very serious case against the son of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news must be when I saw the door open.' "Which are?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who trifles." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Not in the least." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is as this. Pray let me have the details." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the happened." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small triumphant cloud from his cigarette. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean words came to my lips. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business official police." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "No?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible you." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ventilator." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the window, rose as we entered. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "In heaven's name, what for?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He conclusions. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold British peeress.'" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry little adventures." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in thin legs towards the fire. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and served to weaken the effect. astonishment. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See placed his cuttings. will take you up to see the machine.' "But you have hopes?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Lestrade of Scotland Yard." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which so.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his suspect him." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Witness: It was. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I was concerned in it." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, enter Dr. Roylott's room." ordinary clothes on?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very pressing in one house as in another. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the matter?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "To an end?" hand, madam?" opportunities to fix the problem. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close matter." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You light and attacked it." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a purpose of examination. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the husband's writing, madam." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." o'clock is it?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well, it is a possible supposition." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Then you may entirely rely on me." forehead. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "He might." some city in a dream. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "So I am. Very much so." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Is he quiet?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those my secret was safe in his possession. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might someone who had been in Australia." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" do you make of it all?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I am armed." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you strength of mind to control. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, this as likely?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to humiliation." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the writer." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him,