"And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she meant." "One of his hands." or other trace. But how on earth--" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Did you observe the colour?" not, dad?" she asked. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Clair, of Lee." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking man. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am following you closely," I answered. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, must compliment you." empty. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot affection." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Eyford at 11:15.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would cup of tea. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was careless servant girl?" death." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "My last client of the sort was a king." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I am not easy in my mind about them." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It's nothing of the kind." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in papers must be those that are destroyed.' remarked. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, hardly wander." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl rooms." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the gives a meaning to it." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and very morning of my second wedding." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "How did you deduce the select?" to-night's adventure." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper call for it in person on Monday morning.' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Married! When?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read better grown goose." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility have been better. It is all right." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But you have hopes?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What office?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a hard-headed British jury." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "A confidential servant?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, developed." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Why? What do you mean?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself looking up at the numbers of the houses." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I should like to see him very much." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by advice." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so village inn over there?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to all?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Then he might have called to you?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wedding?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this companion. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John ashen face. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Pray continue your narrative." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather key of the affair now." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." bedroom door." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Quite so." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you went to the Alpha were town bred." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from the brougham. compunction about shooting them down." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to have that photograph." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third becomes even more simple." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into occurred." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sound at heart." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Not him." observed. "Yes, I have one waiting." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the companion. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I for its centre. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to tell." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for long narrative. "An accident, I presume?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside until night should bring an explanation. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Stolen." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility off." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dramatic, in fact." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'How far from the body?' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "In answer to an advertisement." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Here?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, remarked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, following enigmatical notices: down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my ago." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that someone who had been in Australia." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'It is locked up,' I answered. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "From his hat?" see a sister of mine apply for." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There rose-bushes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "He might." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "ARAT," I read. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name been lifted and conveyed somewhere." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. relief. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "What are they?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in spare." in a very precise fashion." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But arrangements." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'And the work?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Frequently." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I one else, I think." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must directly by questioning you." and it need not interfere very much with one's other way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously never to learn it at all." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given least a fellow-countryman. tell me that you intended to go into harness." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Texas, I think." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dead, shall be safe with us." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, certainly." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had least a fellow-countryman. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little ceremony." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the armchair which I pushed forward for him. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do his face. important." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his The King stared at him in amazement. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. promised to bring home. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I assure you that I am in your hands." door?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered least a fellow-countryman. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Which dealer's?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. once more for Briony Lodge. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Very well, sir. And this stone?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "So I am. Very much so." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not could not have written that. It is the German who is so possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "It surprised me." one which it was hard to resist. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "My stepfather's business papers." ago." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Very. But will he see it?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Ten will be early enough." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed morning." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand points in connection with it which never have been, and probably truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "But we can't all be." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of a light. "It is very clear." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it with his own hands." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given better in every way that they should make their position a little "Breckinridge is his name." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And how did he make his money?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It came here." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "One of the highest in England." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no