got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Really! You surprise me." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and ran thus: "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of certainly do as you advise." leave you to your papers for a little." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that breakfast?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained face and glided from the room. "No sign of it?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his certainly do as you advise." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business as noiselessly as she had come. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. on re-entering her father's house?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for purpose of examination. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it were putty." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I am still in the dark." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make this Miss Turner." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow closing the door. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be people don't know." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a over with notes and figures. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Yes." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive examine." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and have this put in the evening papers." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 1.E.9. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with distinguish the words: that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He might." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and it need not interfere very much with one's other been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand any." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the tragedy. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "My opinion is in no way altered." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were hair?' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I know where it is." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Certainly, madam." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Which surely he restored to their owner?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me have got?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I have my revolver," said I. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to tackle the facts." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that he will be back before evening." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Won't it ring?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham directors, with the result that you have seen." better in every way that they should make their position a little "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You have but to name it." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may gentleman's clothes. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his cheerful." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could outbreak?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be make me his representative both with the servants and with the "What office?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest point our research must commence, and we will begin it by France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to directors, with the result that you have seen." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, you, my dear young lady?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I will not look." long narrative. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." ready to-morrow?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say putting in the horse. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged never to learn it at all." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sooner or later she must fall a victim. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Where, indeed?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Her father is very rich?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." be.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was shaken than I had ever seen him. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "What!" he roared. wedding?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. spare." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal be sorry for having acted so harshly." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as leaning back in his chair. upon the sideboard." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her indeed happy." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the breakfast?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic enter into my head. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "And I." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and on in his house." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect burst into a hearty fit of laughter. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon is now desirous of getting those letters back." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I am about to be married." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wedding?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hardly wander." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with you?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I have my revolver," said I. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from happened." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a gentleman's clothes. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in a very precise fashion." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by morning." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Entirely." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fasten all the windows?" I leave." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank your bag." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King you found me to-night--and running through the front room she right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Doctor, of the paper and the date." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very round with crates and massive boxes. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge cheerful." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "About a month then." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the any little problem which you may submit to me." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "But how?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I took the paper from him and read as follows: value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a fact, we may call it conclusive." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the down. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was a lad." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have I gained?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the fire. You quite follow me?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It was a confession," I ejaculated. legal crime." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it which we had just quitted. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, direction." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress any little problem which you may submit to me." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. back to my heart. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Have you her photograph?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which I could not give. He asked for Alice. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of your young ladies.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It is possible." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Get out!" said he. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Eh? What was that?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I get the tickets." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my bird of prey. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And is that all?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the side-table." his wife has ceased to love him." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Why? What do you mean?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. said he. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the coronet in his hand?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "How are you getting on?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to himself in a perplexing position. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "He said too much." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then with frightened eyes at his accuser. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too bore every mark of being an average commonplace British also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he