"He is still with you, I presume?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had very morning of my second wedding." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could figure." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there when the Rucastles went away." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "A call for help, you thought?" "'Ten to two.' "Yes." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after a room. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Of what?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting which our visitor detailed to us. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'I have already given you my word.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' written. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a investigation." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united fuss that is made over them." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little was used.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case happened." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news definite end. "And when will you call?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you will be renamed. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Watson," he said cordially. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband wedding?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his confronted him. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my joking. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I will try. What is it?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But how did you gain them?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "And I say east," said my patient. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred wall." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Then, how do you know?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few remarked. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "It is possible." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Where did he live, then?" will take you up to see the machine.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of which we had just quitted. already been minutely examined." said Mr. Holder. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, ways of our fellow-men." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself father's young wife. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Frequently." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about completely overtopped every other consideration that we both possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You did not overhear what they said?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you at home. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I cannot say that I have." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me south, for the country is more deserted there." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "None." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what daring than any effort of the imagination." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and helping a boy to put up the shutters. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms strength in the others." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Yes, it was gone.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "But she could not love him." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which It was close upon four before the door opened, and a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Was the window open?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the coronet at all injured?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on once more. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may indeed which he could not unravel. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Whose house is it?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his society." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Yes, I promise.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that unprofitable." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and touch that coronet?' sofa. This way, please!" "Stoke Moran?" said he. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as walking." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you corner of the building. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "He is dead," cried several voices. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the very letters. But what is this written above them?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have My friend smiled. nice household for a young lady." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the beyond words. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "And the murderer?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own mystery!" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the stones. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had imbecility!" he cried. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much union?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "No more words. Get out!" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your them present such singular features as the strange train of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is occupations.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It surprised me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. your bag." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Where to?" comes from the middle window." "'It is locked up,' I answered. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted DISSOLVED. "If I can be of use." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and all of them with the keenest interest. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, guilty parties." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," his cane at the bell-pull. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to talk it over. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See indeed happy." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Countess of Morcar's?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "And how did he make his money?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Won't it ring?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But you were on a friendly footing?" such attractions and accomplishments?' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be on re-entering her father's house?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And your mother is alive?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and very morning of my second wedding." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "But what harm can there be in that?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was said he. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent visitors." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement signal between you and your father? shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Never,' said I. already referred to. "Yes." photograph a cabinet?" she might be summoned. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I am not easy in my mind about them." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "That you are never beaten." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by John Swain, of St. Augustine. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly ashen face. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in this way: consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose daring than any effort of the imagination." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, his knees, staring into the fire. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But his lameness?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to-morrow." cost them two and thirty pounds." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'I have already given you my word.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." developed." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will shadow pass over his face as I spoke. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I am not easy in my mind about them." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I approached. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. present." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of should be so warm over such a trifle." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Then I do not see the point." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the business matters.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do promised to bring home. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and you." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he house for five minutes.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and looked back. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank."