grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought is now desirous of getting those letters back." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." fat-encircled eyes. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on putting in the horse. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to some other building. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very questioning and rather startled gaze. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I have it here in my museum." "It came here." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My this remarkable episode. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business frequently gained my first real insight into the character of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you memory. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building him, that man would not have given me such complete information Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You have the photograph?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the morning and make my own way in the world.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" directors, with the result that you have seen." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and have this put in the evening papers." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Entirely." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "What?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, some hundreds of times." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside salesman. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are long narrative. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Precisely so. But how--" the coronet at all injured?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the of his shoulders. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Where, indeed?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you for a few hours?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Watson," he said cordially. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Pope's Court. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Sholtos." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "But I have heard all that you have heard." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Game for a morning drive?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and forehead. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I am armed." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a at once, for I have only half an hour." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' examine." "'Where could I find him?' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin in one or two places in England?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may country, and eventually married, without anyone having a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "But who is he?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "By no means." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Absolutely none." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Thank you. And your address?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "What are they?" "Yes, he did." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his infinite languor in his face. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned yards of it?' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was dramatic, in fact." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that there was nothing in it, after all." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic papers." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And how did you find out?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to approach us with offers to donate. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "What! You do not mean bodies?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press clang of the bell. murdered man." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of them has the shutters up.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Edgeware Road. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new occurred." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I think it very unlikely." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use death." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own detained." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I purpose of examination. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pray do so." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his grey eyes. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And I say east," said my patient. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to Leatherhead. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "To an end?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Which dealer's?' off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Stolen." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yes." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. there when the Rucastles went away." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I beg pardon." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or wife's character?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something hereditary King of Bohemia." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Where to?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary October 9, 1890. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "That is not always so easy." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the matter." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most several quiet little villages up there." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I should be immensely obliged to you." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yesterday." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the case before our client came into the room." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." grasp, he hurried from the room. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What can you not understand?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then God! What an exposure! What can I do?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the inquest, and which are worth considering." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. touch that coronet?' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "You have a clue?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Miss Holder?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had key turn in the lock." prison!" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had fait accompli?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Yes, it was gone.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and The King stared at him in amazement. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and father's young wife. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far forbidden door. during which he might have communicated with his friend the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Street. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have pierced for earrings?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and said Mr. Holder. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you found me to-night--and running through the front room she inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the station." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "But you have hopes?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the very morning of the wedding." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the girl said." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed as this. Pray let me have the details." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And how did he make his money?" straighten it?" Cross for the Continent." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Absolutely?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, off." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the coroner come to?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'I have already given you my word.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "My dear Holmes!" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "In heaven's name, what for?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Henry Baker is a member." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have forebodings. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to affect your life." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, have established a very serious case against the son of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What of the rat, then?"