"'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Was your sister dressed?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold them?" "Why did you pick him?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And I to find an enemy." derbies." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of away to you." notes," he said. "What then?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "What steps will you take?" I asked. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "What can you not understand?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands said he, "my real name is James Ryder." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Certainly." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. photograph a cabinet?" spark where all is dark to me." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I shall be delighted." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every vault. strong and stiff." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of used to be." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Of what day?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But she will refuse." "Yes, sir." "Never to return." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the them?" fat-encircled eyes. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of client, rising. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the heavy and sharp instrument." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham papers must be those that are destroyed.' what I may call a really hard day's work." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where off." highly," said Holmes. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. desk. to you." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he next day. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable remarked. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of the one which your family is now devouring." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ways of our fellow-men." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out your Highness to the police-station?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "What can it mean?" I gasped. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long is a common subject for conversation. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in the dead of the night?' "It is no ordinary one." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away where we are going." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "How did that help you?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the easy-going way." "So I have heard." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "He slept on the premises." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands all?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Breckinridge is his name." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of walking." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and your only hope of safety." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gone before you can get him to hospital." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that I am arrested." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, had a long day." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that you saw all that I did." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in hardly wander." events, Mr. Windibank!" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'In my own bureau.' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this strength of mind to control. and laid it on the table. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." would then never go into court at all." returning from some small jollification and was making his way villagers almost as much as their master. nothing of it?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw from the brougham. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "And the murderer?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself least a most suspicious remark." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "And what then?" there in twenty minutes." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late allusion to a rat. highly," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, had picked up in the wood. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gbnewby@pglaf.org age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "None." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just main points of my analysis." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. chair. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a better grown goose." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." generous with you in money matters.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very crowd. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "That sounds a little paradoxical." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Then he might have called to you?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "9th. McCauley cleared. "You are all wrong." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was keenly on my guard against him. forbidden door. "None." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Eyford." My friend smiled. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand assist you in forming an opinion." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to for securing the situation." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fat-encircled eyes. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And I to find an enemy." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as showing my impatience. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the ourselves in the office." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker opportunities to fix the problem. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Have you good authority for what you say?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from companion. "Then how many are there?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very there were one or two details which were new to me. But the was lame." his eyes and forehead. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Is he quiet?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging details." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been him!" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Your sister is dead, then?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of the one which your family is now devouring." it with his own hands." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, entirely devoid of interest." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "But what will you do?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the memory. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years said he. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last away to you." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I am about to be married." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and effective." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few this man was intellectual?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Then what has happened to him?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, problems help me to do so." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a What do you deduce from it?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. woven round him. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Never,' said I. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was will not take me long to tell. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Never.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, written, and locked the door of the office after me. are, and they are waiting for us." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun be.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Doctor, of the paper and the date." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad exactly what you advise." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's one else, I think." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Dr. Becher's." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I leave." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You have but to name it." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front think you a quite exceptional woman." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback cigars in the box." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is certainly not very gracious." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Then I am your man." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at would then never go into court at all." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was