shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and fuss that is made over them." wedding?" orange pips. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that power." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Not at all. I only doubt--' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Nothing." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The decline of his fortunes, then?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the meanly of me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so matters immensely." "Yes." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his again." chamber." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And when will you call?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Then how many are there?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I was sure that I might rely on you." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "That is easily got." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sooner or later she must fall a victim. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'There is a drive, then?' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. evidence," I remarked. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel time." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence conceal it?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "That is not always so easy." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Where, then, is my wife?" "On your arm?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Nothing." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger do.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And leave your case unfinished?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was house for five minutes.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" chair. have not had my rubber." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." promised to bring home. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it were putty." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have got?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to look upon these things in a different way." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his husband's writing, madam." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and your relations to her." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he secret." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than http://www.gutenberg.net Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Entirely." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the is four-and-twenty." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the questionable one." sparkled upon his finger. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to-night?" I asked. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening putting in the horse. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "No, I am descending." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "What then?" "No?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these carriage. It was a chestnut." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to standing smiling on the door-step. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "That you are never beaten." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Do you know him?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "If I can be of use." in the hope of finding them." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I three fields round his house, and there he would take his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bonnet, and went out." "Was there a secret marriage?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, said I. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should beg that you will break it off." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I will try. What is it?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Not in a good cause." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to salesman. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "My dear Holmes!" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few words came to my lips. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And Irene Adler?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Mary, has deserted me." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Did you become engaged then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not if only as a check to my own memory." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to them?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in there." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Where did he live, then?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has letters?" "'And the work?' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "One of the highest in England." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. over with notes and figures. my special province." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hurried by. "What will you say?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' village inn over there?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It is very clear." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It is no ordinary one." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" will take you up to see the machine.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss round and wave him away like that.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, better in every way that they should make their position a little and the colonel ushered me in. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Did your wife hear all this?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post details should find their way into the papers. Inspector self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was records." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to you." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" bill, which interests me deeply." derbies." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "No." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And why?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not situation." "Very murderous indeed." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "So I am. Very much so." my room." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the over with notes and figures. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes?" "It was." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the humiliation." "That's no good." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to lamp in his hand. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What office?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would me what he had done with the three missing stones. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I would give my fortune to have them back." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "By all means." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my little problems." "Then I shall certainly come." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; morning." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and up this clue while it is still hot." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a could go. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "No, my brougham is waiting." he died? about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your His name is Francis Prosper." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander arrangements." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by this poor creature." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping said he, "my real name is James Ryder." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in as yours." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was keenly on my guard against him. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would persecution?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which we had just quitted. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I approached. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. could gather together that I was able to avert another public did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, envelope. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Certainly not.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "His face fell immediately. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a recover the gem." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who begin with, and I had not got mine yet." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Holmes." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning or other trace. But how on earth--" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning only touch the interest." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What can you not understand?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Have you it here?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key depend upon my doing so.' I have it here in my museum." said I.