his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly never to learn it at all." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of remarked. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the with the outside air!" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert it." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him nothing with him." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare over with notes and figures. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "A confidential servant?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. sofa. This way, please!" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." said he. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "My dear Holmes!" foot. "Have you her photograph?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed questioning and rather startled gaze. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard wedding?" thirty. "Always." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he is four-and-twenty." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "About a month then." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And why in hopes?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes. He waved his hands." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily national property. I was determined that the law should have its shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, shoulder; "he's all right." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem not use it unless it is absolutely needed." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "No, I had a dozen." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, retorted upon me, and I on you." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "There are none." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fear." pressing in one house as in another. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "A confidential servant?" "I say that I have solved it." companion. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice as the one I chose?' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers plantation.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is very kind of you." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This away in different directions, and I went off to make my own there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small with you alone." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it least a fellow-countryman. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first is a common subject for conversation. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to tell." if I call to-morrow?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the window, rose as we entered. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there vague figure huddled up in the darkness. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Literary Archive Foundation suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Will you go?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Dr. Gregory B. Newby you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "They are typewritten," I remarked. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was clang of the bell. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was she used." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." forbidden door. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes, the wine-cellar." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent that he will be back before evening." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Nearly eleven." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in a friendly supper." that, and I came down." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do that you wished to speak to me?' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder name is different." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Not in a good cause." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he could not have written that. It is the German who is so Have you good authority for what you say?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But how will you look?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's be best to do. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the station." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt paper in the air. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or companion. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." it." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "To the police?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I round and wave him away like that.' this unhappy family?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes what is your own theory as to what took place?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "What do you make of that, Watson?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "To the police?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low know that the truth is known." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Countess of Morcar's?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges were wasted." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it upon the shelf for the interim." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Entirely." used to be." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Did you become engaged then?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie do.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of the vacancies.' "'Where could I find him?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said intrusion of other matters." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Entirely." "Well, but China?" undoubtedly my uncle's." least a fellow-countryman. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My private note-paper." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, suspect him." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. official police." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Stolen!' he cried. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No, distinctly professional." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was already answered. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them giving me time to thank him. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in the port of London." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have awkward doing business with an alias." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Why, what do you mean?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Was the window open?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fat-encircled eyes. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You are all wrong." "Nothing?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect article?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest said Mr. Holder. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "So I have heard." "Have you it here?" "Murdered?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Then what has happened to him?" call it cruel." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I shall communicate with you." "One?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. you for a few hours?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the may never be exposed to such a temptation." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my might have a private word with us. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California really the only notable feature about the thing." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ha! you find it so?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon all-comprehensive glances. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "A client, then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and depend upon your compliance." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "A greater distance to travel." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." sound at heart." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" she used." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'I shall certainly be there.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "How did that help you?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I am all attention, madam." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "No?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the driver. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with already referred to. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Not in a good cause." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of look dissatisfied." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Yes."