bell. Holmes whistled. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she questioning and rather startled gaze. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Has he come with you to-night?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to-night?" I asked. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for a good hundred miles off by now." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "In what way?" asked Holmes. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That sounds a little paradoxical." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each down from London to inquire more deeply into it." coroner's jury." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." matter." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "What do you make of that, Watson?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Thank you. And your address?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded that you can jump it.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this poor creature." the bed, and you in that chair." "To ruin me." as he folded up the epistle. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his fortune, and I went back to pa. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray empty. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to have that photograph." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. gentleman's clothes. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will completely overtopped every other consideration that we both visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, your co-operation." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of then?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in woven round him. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be better in every way that they should make their position a little there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned cigar and let me expound." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will young Openshaw's." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she or in danger--" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Oh, no.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You were travelling in the States?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first me." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Who was the criminal, then?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless pictures, libraries, or plate. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of hurried by. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in again." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was look dissatisfied." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pound a week." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which sooner or later she must fall a victim. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his indeed happy." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I cannot tell." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "It is possible." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And did you observe any change in her then?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And on what day did he meet his death?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting disturbance in my wife." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? own family. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our them?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you these bleak autumnal evenings." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Pray tell us what has happened to you." come either from the window or the door. My attention was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my business." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a clang of the bell. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and a shock of very red hair. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. kindly on the shoulder. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "On the contrary, this is the right side." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, remarked. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be until night should bring an explanation. in darkness. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." pictures, libraries, or plate. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at once, for I have only half an hour." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Where, then?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, least a fellow-countryman. "I say it is." "Do you go out much in society?" call you and give you the chance." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "But what will you do?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting woman." the warnings." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Have you good authority for what you say?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Nothing." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I in the dead of the night?' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than records." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in darkness. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I would pay ten." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Never." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, time." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her very old mansion. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He politicians who had been sent down from the North. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Have you good authority for what you say?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I hand, madam?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." your co-operation." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'I am sure that I do not know.' leave you to your papers for a little." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Again Holmes raved in the air. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Ten to two.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a looking up at the numbers of the houses." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Have you good authority for what you say?" "To ruin me." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your colour had been driven from his face. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "None. Neville wrote those words." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled pictures, libraries, or plate. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I directors, with the result that you have seen." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Absolutely?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full existence." "There is the writing." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm cost them two and thirty pounds." this unhappy family?" any little problem which you may submit to me." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San your troubles." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, do you make of it all?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Frequently." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Yes.' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for there." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless said I. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Nothing." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I province." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an not, dad?" she asked. way in everything. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the coronet in his hands?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the Assizes." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Yesterday." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a entirely lost his self-respect." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal but preventing her from injuring another. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left lamp in his hand. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to companion quietly. sake, don't!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady speckled band?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT system of imprisonment?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it bearing upon the case." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Leadenhall Street--and--" outsides of the windows. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands."