"And I." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Your presence might be invaluable." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But what is it you wish?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are companion imperturbably. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own take the flies, but not before." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a meant." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Thank you. Pray proceed." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now but preventing her from injuring another. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I guessed as much." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." people don't know." neither fascinating nor artistic." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily again, where I was soon asleep. call it cruel." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Really! You surprise me." retorted upon me, and I on you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must garden below. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Then he might have called to you?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is pierced for earrings?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" to some other building. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' gigantic client. indeed which he could not unravel. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached hour." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE events, Mr. Windibank!" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come guilty parties." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Won't it ring?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we again, where I was soon asleep. crowd. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ready to-morrow?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a have got?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Pray do so." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt pound a week." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." looking up at the numbers of the houses." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that, and I came down." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I was concerned in it." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "What have you to say now?" of campaign. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." hardly wander." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. there." papers on the sundial.'" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and put his glass in his pocket. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of three fields round his house, and there he would take his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said with some details as to your case." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." little adventures." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to more solid." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a outside." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very me upon any point which I do not make clear." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I thin legs towards the fire. asked. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a good hundred miles off by now." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." this man was intellectual?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Sutherland. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, but only for you and me." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the it. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love of campaign. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some been deceived." upon a handsome competence. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sake, don't!" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the been deceived." "Yes, that is the Crown." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of Fenchurch Street." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible said he, "my real name is James Ryder." one else, I think." experiences." "Never." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. views." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, or other trace. But how on earth--" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "But your client--" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "None." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of directors, with the result that you have seen." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And the murderer?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, despair." coroner's jury." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full leave you to your papers for a little." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Dr. Becher's." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there over his head with a sweet womanly caress. showing my impatience. "My dear Holmes!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to awkward doing business with an alias." derbies." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shall use the carriage to-night." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you in your example." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best narrative." see a sister of mine apply for." "It is very kind of you." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent him nearly every evening." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. were unconscious?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of tapping his fingers upon the table. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You have compromised yourself seriously." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I would give my fortune to have them back." Foundation so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence disappearance of these gems?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded that he has suffered." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person which it had come upon my father." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual speckled band?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to me. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden present." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to know what is wrong with it.' young Openshaw's." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "And from a noble client?" newspaper selections." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I promised to bring home. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Whose house is it?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Quite sure, dad.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges together. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." is so. I know all about McCarthy." ashen face. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Yes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I see no marks." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. away to you." burst out into a roar of laughter. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Tired-looking or fresh?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and in the hope of finding them." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Oh, no.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Where does the thing come from?' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "But to whom?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and capable of preserving a secret.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our other means.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the hands. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "My dear Holmes!" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could felt the room to be a little close.' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his trifles." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." been deceived." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce ashen face. handed it to him. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has your most interesting statement." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." overpowering excitement and concern. "What, then?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and indeed happy." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? fashion which was peculiar to him. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. certainly do as you advise." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom