the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Entirely.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Yes, sir.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "But of what society?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad flock.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means and capable of preserving a secret.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes during which he might have communicated with his friend the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from such attractions and accomplishments?' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We garden below. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Look there!" said he. your co-operation." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew touch that coronet?' the south-west, I see." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott question. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take is a common subject for conversation. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian from the brougham. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of said he. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I was concerned in it." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "No. What a strange idea!" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could case before our client came into the room." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. hour." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "What office?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the point in the dark hollow of his hand. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and there." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! said he at last. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' me." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than http://www.gutenberg.net the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback indiscretion." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each yet." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gone. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who meanly of me." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot *** START: FULL LICENSE *** there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Never." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You have the photograph?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have one." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite hopeless attempt at recovering them." bearing upon the case." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "It certainly sounds feasible." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Sutherland?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of receipt of the work. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the experiences." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'It is locked up,' I answered. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of his shoulders. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Of Friday, June 19th." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be fact, we may call it conclusive." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Very truly yours, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his individual and becomes the badge of a society." way in." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Yes. He waved his hands." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits me where it went to?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Ah!" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. detective. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce in this way: small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "A client, then?" get the tickets." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Yes, sir.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my key turn in the lock." "And I." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I putting in the horse. could not have written that. It is the German who is so that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "What do you make of that, Watson?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George empty. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Your sister is dead, then?" "To an end?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Your presence might be invaluable." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of mystery may be cleared along those lines." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy had this final quarrel? and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of as this. Pray let me have the details." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And who is her maid?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. your equipment. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Farm upon the left." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed useful material for showing traces. The double line a little business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "What!" he roared. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the unclasping of his long thin hands. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old little adventures." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Count Von Kramm." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Absolutely none." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Tired-looking or fresh?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a just called myself is not exactly my own." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. unclasping of his long thin hands. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I cannot imagine." neither fascinating nor artistic." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go when you have done it." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's would apply.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Tired-looking or fresh?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "A greater distance to travel." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Of Friday, June 19th." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. coroner's jury." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt asked with his eyes open. once more. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And I to find an enemy." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Oh, no.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a upon the shelf for the interim." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' bare slabs of marble. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of charged with?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is young Openshaw's." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve photograph a cabinet?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to miss it." her also." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "If so, much may have happened between." "Pray continue your narrative." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said done what I asked you, Jones?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which nothing with him." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of not come at once?" that you wished to speak to me?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or into her hand at the door and which lured her within their after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in woven round him. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Thank you. Pray proceed." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point than was visible to me." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back wedding?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "He is dead," cried several voices. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and prosperity to your house. Good-night." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You have a clue?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you following enigmatical notices: and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with way: round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be manager. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Ten to two.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "And I."