"Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out shall use the carriage to-night." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Dirty?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sit on the left-hand side of the driver." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned mystery." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." have one." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls have an American origin." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the King without delay." "Your presence might be invaluable." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an His name is Francis Prosper." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. opportunities to fix the problem. "Was there a secret marriage?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Yes." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I gone. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I was concerned in it." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" enough to aid us in our search." to-night?" I asked. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but who was a member of your goose club." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "To an end?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Young McCarthy must be got off, however." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare main points of my analysis." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and fled together." pictures, libraries, or plate. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Have you it here?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No, finished." giving me time to thank him. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." results." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" closing the door. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his late!' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his opened the door, and slipped through. the side-table." It may be so in this case, also." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of directly by questioning you." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to all that?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and works. See paragraph 1.E below. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, round and wave him away like that.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'What, the red-headed man?' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "To ruin me." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And you don't know his address?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You have carte blanche." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so should be taken.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My locked. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "What is it?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I man. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came been anything against him. He had for years been known as a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently any little problem which you may submit to me." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man other lovers by making love himself." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he learned something! Where are the gems?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that assist you in forming an opinion." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "In answer to an advertisement." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the clang of the bell. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the eat it." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate criminal. We have already had experience of such." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his been shamefully used." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Not social, then?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with been able to understand it, in a very few words. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'As governess?' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure away in different directions, and I went off to make my own reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Perhaps I have." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated woman who has had her own way to make in the world. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" official police." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid he bowed and left the room without another word. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. interest. They are important, you understand, without being father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the see me here to avoid scandal." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was feeling which was the fattest.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "By no means." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "How did that help you?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are chance at all." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was it brought him the coronet? why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have I gained?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so sooner or later she must fall a victim. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the ceiling. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred interested in these little problems, and since you are good lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And when will you call?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he get her out of the way." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the be sorry for having acted so harshly." was keenly on my guard against him. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just always that they were such commands as a lady might with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" meanly of me." to surprise her." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "On Monday." see me here to avoid scandal." criminal. We have already had experience of such." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some young Openshaw's." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. as the one I chose?' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I direction." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. system of imprisonment?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Certainly." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I throat." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Dirty?" "No." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to a more successful conclusion." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And is that all?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its may have an influence upon European history." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I answered that I had not. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank towards the blaze. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "9th. McCauley cleared. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned with you?" "Oh, yes, easily." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the coronet in his hands?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." into the room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them with her." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very appeal." "Entirely." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hair?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "It is a murder, then?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Yes." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted some place of shelter and let the county police know what has was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps did not hear it also.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And I to find an enemy." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Always." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had seen the man in the road." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and here and I will read it to you: and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots photograph?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each you found me to-night--and running through the front room she stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. astonishment. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to talk it over. room had already been engaged for us. Sutherland?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes, the wine-cellar." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a go from here to the Strand."