"Then I can wait in the next room." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Not in a good cause." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was keenly on my guard against him. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You have carte blanche." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a such person." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored searched, without anything being found which could incriminate strong and stiff." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Which surely he restored to their owner?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord said he. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham evidence," I remarked. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I beg pardon." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat less than 26s. 4d. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is worth.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was page at http://pglaf.org enough to aid us in our search." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as during which he might have communicated with his friend the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Upon what point?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the chair. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I forbidden door. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to are windows in it, of course?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the fatally injured? jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I should be immensely obliged to you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. me where it went to?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan morning." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' neither fascinating nor artistic." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and looked back. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Very. But will he see it?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," I shall continue with my miserable story. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might both be extremely obliged.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. matter." have had none more fantastic than this." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I fear not." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the south-west, I see." with her." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I am still in the dark." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and passage and a tap at the door. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune strong and stiff." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw himself to hunt down. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cigars in the box." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the photograph?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a suggestive one." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as business in the City. She little knew what. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his you want, then?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It missed him, then?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Now, then, what's the last entry?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "What! a murderous attack?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his huge brown hands. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 'please.'" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite business in the City. She little knew what. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The landlord of the Alpha." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Has he come with you to-night?" "My dear Holmes!" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I leave." off." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love which it had come upon my father." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She vague figure huddled up in the darkness. bell. Holmes whistled. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a death." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the one's self under obligations.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the with you?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable shoulder. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ran thus: down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect not within a twentieth part of the market price." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "But I have heard all that you have heard." colour had been driven from his face. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in done what I asked you, Jones?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You are hungry," I remarked. you?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got envelope. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Yes, it was gone.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "No legal papers or certificates?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Witness: I must still refuse. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the corner of the building. "Was the window open?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The rest you will leave in our hands." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. photograph?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid o'clock is it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little enough to aid us in our search." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones them present such singular features as the strange train of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Pray tell us what has happened to you." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place him and tried to hold him back. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from into the room. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution death." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his horse could go." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave have established a very serious case against the son of the go back?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the digesting their breakfasts at home." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he affair. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that threaten you." "He is still with you, I presume?" a suggestive one." Holmes' room. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his recover the gem." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' cigars in the box." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more affair. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so your own bird, so if you wish--" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused certainly not very gracious." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Stoke Moran?" said he. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in a friendly supper." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to tell me that you intended to go into harness." had formerly been in part my own. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Did he not advertise?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me this poor creature." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And how did you verify them?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was feeling which was the fattest.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 suspect him." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'And what salary do you ask?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position side. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." murdered man." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, success. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. habit of advancing money.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more mystery!" "'What then?' I asked. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of Fenchurch Street." third from London." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce clanging. following enigmatical notices: "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be it." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And why?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, British peeress.'" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Surrey." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What of the rat, then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy formed some opinion?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will