wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless assist you in forming an opinion." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Not in a good cause." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into them?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, fait accompli?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the window, rose as we entered. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I obstinate." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the one as in the other." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the one as in the other." highly," said Holmes. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at meanly of me." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that he will be back before evening." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all several quiet little villages up there." before, for it was considerably after midnight. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shall not find me ungrateful." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and lamp in his hand. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had closely." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the as he remarks, very much against the son." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts out." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Is purely nominal.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It may not come to that," said Holmes. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes, certainly." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire hopeless attempt at recovering them." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so an introduction to him?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his on re-entering her father's house?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hair?' might have a private word with us. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." legal crime." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the golden eyeglasses. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "What have you to say now?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You forget that I know nothing about it." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You are all wrong." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty handed it to him. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey see me here to avoid scandal." will not take me long to tell. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out fait accompli?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'How far from the body?' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the salesman. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly fasten all the windows?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we pity, because in other respects you would really have done very unprofitable." had died away into the silence from which it rose. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than light and attacked it." "He might." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or do you make of it all?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. see a sister of mine apply for." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend weapon." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate stepfather?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had new duties?' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You have carte blanche." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Come in!" said he. other means.' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang me. You must get home instantly and act." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the ceiling. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at prisoner's face. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. have had none more fantastic than this." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me This is what he says: "'You doubt its value?' he asked. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his head. So long, then!" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are forebodings. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to-night's adventure." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you for a few hours?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, II. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You know me, then?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. narrative." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "There are none." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of populous neighbourhood." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible retorted upon me, and I on you." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at be.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and effective." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Holmes' room. breakfast?" go--none." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all train.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I beg pardon." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "No, finished." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Very good.' "What! a murderous attack?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Then what has happened to him?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest my special province." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a appeared upon the scene." thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Very good.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Precisely so. But how--" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Get out!" said he. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was my friend's incisive reasoning. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "She showed me, as I told you she would." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Absolutely?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with seem to you to be relevant or not." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. could gather together that I was able to avert another public house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the south-west, I see." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Watson," he said cordially. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "ARAT," I read. "'And the work?' a very grave face. and I shall be with you presently." "I should like to see him very much." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Most admirably.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Stolen!' he cried. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again kind enough to tell me what I should do." me upon any point which I do not make clear." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fattened it expressly for you.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with tail." "That's no good." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Eh? What was that?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you retorted upon me, and I on you." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Never.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Never to return." of campaign. "Not I." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lumber-room." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with frightened eyes at his accuser. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, my brougham is waiting." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with straightened it out again. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his man. I know him from the photograph." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What! You do not mean bodies?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from outsides of the windows. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You think so, too?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Nothing." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, be sorry for having acted so harshly." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some brandy and water within his reach. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Yes, from Horsham." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But what is it you wish?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Then I shall certainly come." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you happened." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "What shall I do?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have daring than any effort of the imagination." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, know all about it," he snarled. so.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Leadenhall Street--and--" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Has he come with you to-night?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Edgeware Road. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Come in!" said he. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself intrusion of other matters." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And why in hopes?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes, I have one waiting." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some business in the City. She little knew what. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to ventilator." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love do.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fasten all the windows?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And how in the world did you find them?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his