"My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in shaken than I had ever seen him. there!' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "VIOLET HUNTER." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with depend upon my doing so.' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Yes, at the mines." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What I expected to see." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they been able to understand it, in a very few words. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." which was all perfectly true. results." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which returning from some small jollification and was making his way "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." my special province." "In answer to an advertisement." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in affection." writing, and yet I know it well." points to suicide?" the night.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be said I. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Very murderous indeed." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It is possible." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And what then?" nights." floor. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his huge brown hands. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" third from London." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And help." "None." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Stolen." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and on in his house." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. quickly through a disagreeable task. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our The telegram which we eventually received came late one night railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a business came to an end." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that distinguish the words: conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three floor. one else, I think." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some any." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out was lame." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'You cannot say what it was?' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will into the bag, and made for the door. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "May I see it?" sufficient punishment." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "My Mary? Impossible!" DAMAGE. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and your relations to her." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three imbecility!" he cried. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What then?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Where to?' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise husband's writing, madam." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." golden eyeglasses. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do and a shock of very red hair. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always all-comprehensive glances. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And that is--" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out foresight and the moral retrogression?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable has little to do with my story." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little American. Then who could this American be, and why should he for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in morning." "No, distinctly professional." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a problems help me to do so." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." laugh and put his lips to my ear. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a tail." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ashen face. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between spare." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And Miss Sutherland?" "No more words. Get out!" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For second window is the one that I jumped from." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "What! Had he lost his wife?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his away into the river." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my keep the flames under. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Dr. Gregory B. Newby dates and names. name is different." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear during that time.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of when you have done it." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous upon a handsome competence. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very wedding?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have got?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes, only one." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. stalked out of the room. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I never have." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "But you were on a friendly footing?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at late!' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the window, rose as we entered. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "To an English lawyer named Norton." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Eyford at 11:15.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, side. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her me have 200 pounds?' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, problems help me to do so." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Never to return." second window is the one that I jumped from." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation most interesting one." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "That is possible." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical vault. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my business." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No, I think that I'll take it." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I think it very unlikely." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included secret." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even matter over." "A confidential servant?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "If I can be of use." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I during which he might have communicated with his friend the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while exactly what you advise." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. London for the present?" "And how did you verify them?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate gigantic client. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Holmes' thin, eager face. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a see me here to avoid scandal." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'You doubt its value?' he asked. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with standing smiling on the door-step. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door success. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And how did you verify them?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, tension within him. British peeress.'" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I have my revolver," said I. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My dear Holmes!" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern she used." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out wedding?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. look dissatisfied." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, again on its way. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper once more on the important position which you have been fortunate a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a highly," said Holmes. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. point in the dark hollow of his hand. served to weaken the effect. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "And how did he make his money?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional village inn over there?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed mysterious end." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred sufficient punishment." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert During two years I have had three consultations and one small in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear most interesting one." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than village inn over there?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the roots. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "What will you do, then?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and derbies." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of with frightened eyes at his accuser. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Stolen!' he cried. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen likely to be some crony of the landlady's." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line there when the Rucastles went away." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I shall most certainly do so." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his window when the police appeared." ashen face. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than