certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they think you a quite exceptional woman." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one was feeling which was the fattest.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You have compromised yourself seriously." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with my former friend and companion. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Really! You surprise me." "Get out!" said he. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I will try. What is it?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the maiden herself was most instructive." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made galvanised. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this handed it to him. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The murder was done with it." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Not yet." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked leave you to your papers for a little." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I am sure." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "To ruin me." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all now. It seems that there had been some informality about their for the market.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I am all attention, madam." residence of the great financier. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' happened." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What, then?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, see me here to avoid scandal." you came in." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from your billet.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have even so self-evident a thing as that." throat." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But what is it you wish?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Game for a morning drive?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of receipt of the work. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing interests were the same as his." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. happened." down. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Then I am your man." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he is," said he presently: "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of presume?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And I to find an enemy." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of heavily into it. "Imitated." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young outsides of the windows. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "In answer to an advertisement." gentleman's clothes. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I lost nothing by them." "How are you getting on?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Your sister is dead, then?" taking in every detail of the apartment. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with nice household for a young lady." feature." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hardly wander." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "But she will refuse." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, tail." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I have it here in my museum." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and a shock of very red hair. "Yes." sofa. This way, please!" at home. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but my room." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and have this put in the evening papers." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "To an English lawyer named Norton." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be events than those which have happened in my own family." "Deserted you?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us as yours." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then, how do you know?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Who by?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing speckled band?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his go--none." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'What then?' I asked. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "To an English lawyer named Norton." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had this final quarrel? at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss vanished into the darkness. "Absolutely?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" speckled band?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and all of them with the keenest interest. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. note?" "It is very kind of you." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they laugh and put his lips to my ear. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just made him keep the appointment." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, woven round him. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bare slabs of marble. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you this poor creature." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "You are all wrong." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, respectable self." at a side door. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as electronic works though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat were wasted." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Watson," he said cordially. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Perfectly so." enough to aid us in our search." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Entirely." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Entirely." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry friend's singular character. you." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the so-precious time, but come!' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That you are never beaten." village inn over there?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Where did he live, then?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a good hundred miles off by now." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own something of him before." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you our word." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of campaign. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with himself to tell his story. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the running down." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "ARAT," I read. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured quite distinctive." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." it." forehead. "Yes, at the mines." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an key turn in the lock." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had any." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And why?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are The King stared at him in amazement. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the future lives." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And on what day did he meet his death?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident character. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "The murder was done with it." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. on in his house." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and glanced through. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with ago." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California which I could not give. He asked for Alice. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a light and attacked it." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am strength of mind to control. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to