aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the excitement. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." within hail.' crowd. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way the morning and make my own way in the world.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "He is still with you, I presume?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from done what I asked you, Jones?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and it need not interfere very much with one's other hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "No, I am descending." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to surprise her." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, down. "Yes." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. in darkness. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, trying to your nerves." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the habit of advancing money.' "I cannot tell." dates and names. until night should bring an explanation. whether it answered to the description of any of their "None." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Here?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And what did you learn from him?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. national property. I was determined that the law should have its difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, point in the dark hollow of his hand. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, During two years I have had three consultations and one small following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which companion. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the iron safe, which he closed upon it. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you south, for the country is more deserted there." helping a boy to put up the shutters. go back?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was forehead. "No, thank goodness, she did not." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one that there was nothing in it, after all." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the standing smiling on the door-step. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And how have you succeeded?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Her father is very rich?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, brain must have something in it." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been companion. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "How about poison?" "Certainly." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. been shamefully used." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "How did you trace it, then?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But the mystery?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Your French gold?" any." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "So I have heard." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving him and tried to hold him back. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "None." "I don't believe it." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear very morning of my second wedding." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute lost nothing by them." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, indeed which he could not unravel. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" there in twenty minutes." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." your troubles." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, me. You must get home instantly and act." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" them?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." chance at all." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" upon the white wrist. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "In the cells." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Certainly." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Where, then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "How can you tell that?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture is four-and-twenty." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having occurred." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, child?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was God! What an exposure! What can I do?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' lips." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his arrangements." "It is a murder, then?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 'I should be able to look after that for you.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, events than those which have happened in my own family." "Do you go out much in society?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case British peeress.'" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight noble correspondent could be. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with appeal." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself conversation I have gathered that they have been married about a suggestive one." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a suddenly upon us." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you happened." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must careless servant girl?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself possible that we could bring him back to her? serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "10th. John Swain cleared. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms will not take me long to tell. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "There is the writing." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while had this final quarrel? "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he she might be summoned. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he arrangements." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did village inn over there?" "Murdered?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back wife's character?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Where did he live, then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both lectures into a series of tales." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "None." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Yes, sir.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Pope's Court, Fleet Street." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You don't mind breaking the law?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Why, what do you mean?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a meant it for the best. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the made his money." matters immensely." "We were both in the photograph." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "A client, then?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with details." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into tightly behind him. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I question. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But who is he?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is question. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Yes." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a a very grave face. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "No good news?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up again on its way. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Can I be of assistance?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. cost them two and thirty pounds." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No legal papers or certificates?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window some terrible trap for her." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before locked." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And why?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of a light. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this where she found matters as described by the last witness. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "How often?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at simple cases which are so extremely difficult." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "My opinion is in no way altered." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "It is true that I have been generally successful." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is charged with?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is true that I have been generally successful." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the we went to search for him, face downward in a little hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the this man was intellectual?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box your own bird, so if you wish--" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of cheerful." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his forehead." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Cross for the Continent." "But his left-handedness." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke