together. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "A call for help, you thought?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few call it cruel." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and assist you in forming an opinion." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and someone who had been in Australia." said he. bedroom door." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that instincts rose up against that laugh. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from nights." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's you do it in twenty minutes!' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms DAMAGE. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Deserted you?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and shall not find me ungrateful." "I cannot tell." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be ran thus: Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as in the dead of the night?' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was following enigmatical notices: to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for you want, then?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The decline of his fortunes, then?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to-night." events than those which have happened in my own family." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "No good news?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and said he. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Where did you address your letters, then?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business children over to America with him, so that I found myself without thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from purpose equally well?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the said I. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the questionable one." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the south-west, I see." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front good for you to do.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of the way of danger. "Quite so." populous neighbourhood." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless astonishment. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." himself to tell his story. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. ceremony." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he desk. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "My photograph." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater redistribution. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I say it is." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "At what time?" "9th. McCauley cleared. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I say that I have solved it." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" without a word or a look. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You have but to name it." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is The summons was a brief and urgent one. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE in. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his paper in the air. Where does the thing come from?' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Yes." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Upon what point?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Of what day?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Stolen." that you can jump it.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was What do you deduce from it?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have charge against him will break down." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an over with notes and figures. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Holmes rather sternly. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wanted for ourselves." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Were they all fastened this morning?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes be there in time for your coming." thought that she would have been so carried away." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I cannot imagine." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is quick march!" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day hands. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'And what are they worth?' I asked. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "A call for help, you thought?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with imbecility!" he cried. there!' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the ceiling. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter awkward doing business with an alias." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the south-west, I see." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy problems help me to do so." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. conceal it?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, appeal." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to your troubles." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California soul! here is her carriage at the door." have established a very serious case against the son of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Edgeware Road. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not fit the lock." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have not had my rubber." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case like gravel from a pit.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called in. hardly wander." gone. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental walking." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bachelor.' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you up this clue while it is still hot." recover the gem." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who business." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came shoulder. "'Which dealer's?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made whereabouts. "Her father is very rich?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I am in hopes that she does." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "So it appears." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'What, the red-headed man?' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." could gather together that I was able to avert another public bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and see me here to avoid scandal." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which you want, then?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I on in his house." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it down. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he this man was intellectual?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "How did you trace it, then?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, my special province." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" manager. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her know what is wrong with it.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will been deceived." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have accepted such a situation. Doctor, of the paper and the date." the station." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to discontent upon his features. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a friend's singular character. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I will do it." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor your only hope of safety." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. second window is the one that I jumped from." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is back alive. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it enough to aid us in our search." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Arthur Conan Doyle "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden here and I will read it to you: "What can you not understand?" that I can to serve you." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things morning." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Very good.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she it right.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, promised to bring home. will be renamed. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come make me his representative both with the servants and with the affection." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that seen the man in the road." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on legal crime." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the loss of it. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And you can do nothing until then?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and that he would see to anything that turned up. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." for and were ordered to this address. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in observed. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I never have." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Ha! you find it so?" in his hands." following enigmatical notices: "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You horrify me." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. discontent upon his features. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the inner apartment." is acting for the best. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the brandy and water within his reach. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall seem to you to be relevant or not." the coroner come to?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." posted to-day." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" husband's writing, madam." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag people in all walks of life. my little problems."