wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I came to find a friend." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, call it cruel." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in works. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** you for a few hours?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a stammered. "What then?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had forbidden door. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I was mad--insane." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. skylight. relief. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom yet." "Then I am your man." "That is possible." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I will do it." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the coronet at all injured?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, there are nearly always some there." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the quite distinctive." absorbing." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted just called myself is not exactly my own." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Very. But will he see it?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of more solid." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. standing smiling on the door-step. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that careless servant girl?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It is true that I have been generally successful." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in he bowed and left the room without another word. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, quickly through a disagreeable task. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And how did you find out?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes, it would be as well." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow conduct the inquiry." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to think, you have already met." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the driver. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, from Horsham." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across for the market.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will villagers almost as much as their master. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, whole matter to your consideration." photograph?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of his shoulders. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to that open window." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending hand, madam?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the gone. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is his fortune, and I went back to pa. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "What will you say?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of other means.' father's place of business?" clanging. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No. What a strange idea!" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and know what is wrong with it.' "'Which dealer's?' Mary, has deserted me." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took your Highness to the police-station?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive populous neighbourhood." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, people don't know." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I don't believe it." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten too. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Then what has happened to him?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the cigars in the box." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her than to us. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I am sure." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life would then never go into court at all." several quiet little villages up there." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "When did she vanish, then?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I answered that I had not. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an For additional contact information: "Where, indeed?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He on re-entering her father's house?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was For additional contact information: The King stared at him in amazement. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was mystery may be cleared along those lines." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at home. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fashion which was peculiar to him. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "What, then?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me it." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No, finished." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the matter." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: chance at all." nonsense.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, been." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name bare slabs of marble. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my back alive. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were other lovers by making love himself." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "How often?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB gone before you can get him to hospital." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has you." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor chill to my heart. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I should like to see him very much." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Not yet." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." strength." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH about. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little of campaign. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Not in a good cause." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little was a perfect sample of the class. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Nearly eleven." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My dear Holmes!" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps remarked. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Married! When?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you http://gutenberg.net/license). follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and hereditary King of Bohemia." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your you came in." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over noting anything else of interest. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one The telegram which we eventually received came late one night face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Not I." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope your only hope of safety." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Imitated." "No, I had a dozen." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Where could I find him?' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes rather sternly. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it means?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the him. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Mrs. Toller serenely. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the matter." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Countess of Morcar's?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has companion. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very go--none." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. it right.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, do." "'What, the red-headed man?' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & singular points about the case. What did the police think of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we was used.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chamber." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the