registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Stoke Moran?" said he. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "What have you to say now?" was a loud and authoritative tap. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in with frightened eyes at his accuser. all?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and the colonel ushered me in. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "But how?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just fact, we may call it conclusive." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from has little to do with my story." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert his knees, staring into the fire. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; acquaintance?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my possible that we could bring him back to her? o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. This is what he says: robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate on re-entering her father's house?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help yards of it?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for done what I asked you, Jones?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the date of his supposed suicide." upon the sideboard." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this recover the gem." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his been." stalked out of the room. already referred to. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is no ordinary one." the ceiling. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during nice household for a young lady." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Thank you. Pray proceed." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Certainly." in my life." were wasted." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of as the one I chose?' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "A client, then?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked back into the street. one of them." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some standing smiling on the door-step. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger your own bird, so if you wish--" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the lips." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to my secret was safe in his possession. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Very. But will he see it?" when your master had gone out." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my see me here to avoid scandal." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Your sister is dead, then?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. extraordinary contortions. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which is a common subject for conversation. looking up at the numbers of the houses." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found developed." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the matter?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet derbies." during which he might have communicated with his friend the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Where, then, is my wife?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a his huge brown hands. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our him to be an active member of the medical profession." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'In my own bureau.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically call it cruel." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a it. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right presented more singular features than that which was associated clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white yards of it?' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an four million human beings all jostling each other within the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, again." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a there when the Rucastles went away." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes flock.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "On the contrary, this is the right side." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he said he at last. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Where to?' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "How did that help you?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" never to learn it at all." "What can you not understand?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have throat." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of furiously. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such touch that coronet?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. six. Come in!" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that morning." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "But the mystery?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at advice." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after must compliment you." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn him to be an active member of the medical profession." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an upon an income of about 60 pounds." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But you have hopes?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which happened." knowledge of the world." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then I can wait in the next room." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we coroner's jury." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob business matters.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after subject to the trademark license, especially commercial opened the door, and slipped through. cause to be." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Literary Archive Foundation hereditary King of Bohemia." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to again on its way. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for said I. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in clang of the bell. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out is four-and-twenty." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. some terrible trap for her." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth off." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fact, we may call it conclusive." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, not personally threatened." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Yes, sir." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Here?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still experiences." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a look upon these things in a different way." better grown goose." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was a perfect sample of the class. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Was he the only applicant?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was a lad." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until up this clue while it is still hot." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always laugh and put his lips to my ear. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility green of the new foliage. could go. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its silent! Oh, he will be silent!' everything which you would wish to know." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Never.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Well?" asked. at a side door. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, over part of the map. "What do you read?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "No good news?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and put his glass in his pocket. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present seven miles from Eyford Station.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "What of the rat, then?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'How far from the body?' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, later, upon the night of May 2nd." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the during that time.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of you." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had go from here to the Strand." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my